St. Landry democrat., 1887-07-16
CURRENT TOPICS.

Contrary to general expectation, Jacob
Sharp, the chief beneficiary Of the Broad
way Surface railway "combine,' was
convicted of bribing the New York
Board of Aldermen of 1884 The evi-
dence against Sharp was mainly circum
stantial, but his counsel offered nothing
to refute it, and the jury brought in a
verdict of guilty after an absence of but a
few minutes. The history of the bribery
may be thus briefly stated: In 1894 Sharp
got a bill passed through the Legis-
ture at Albany authorizing the construc-
ton Of surface railway on Broadway,
in New York city. The majority in the
Board of Aldermen met and determined
to form "combine' or to pool thei1
votes for a moneyed consideration from
the builder of the road. William C..
Whitney, in letter, stated that certain
parties would pay $1,000,000 to the city
for the privilege of building the road
Sharp offered $600,000 in cash, and it
was accepted by the 'combine.' The
franchise was voted to him over the
mayors veto. The 'combine" got from
$4,000 to 100000 apiece, but the city got
nothing. The details of the "steaH
leaked out at last, and all the guilty
parties were indicted. Three, Jaehne,
Mclaughlin and O'Neil, are now in Sing
Sing. Others are in exile, some are
under bail and some are dead. Sharp is
now seventy years of age and broken
down. The penalty for his offense is
ten years Imprisonment at hard labor or
$4,000 fine or both 1t is not thought he
will get full term and efforts may be
made to secure him new trial.
**x
The leading topic of interest in Euro
pean diplomatic circles is the Anglo
Turkish convention. Under the pres
sure brought to bear by the representa-
tives of Russia and France the Sultan
has asked for time to make up his mind
upon the subject. This was granted
him, and he now asks for an extension.
France threatens to break off diplomatic
relations and to revive her claims
to the protection of the holy places
in Palestine in the event OF
her wishes not being needed. Russis
threatens to press for payment OF
her war indemnity and another slice OF
territory in Armenia. England too, has
screws to apply, if necessary. The Sui
tan's advisers, though, are willy set OF
diplomats, and in game of bluff car
discount their opponents. British gold
will likely avail more at the Porte than
French and Russian threats. The Sultan
needs money, and will get all he can as
the price of his ratification of the con-
vention. The control of Egypt is neces-
sary to England to insure the safety Of
her Indian empire, and she will defend
the Suez canal, the highway to the East,
at any hazard. The situation is mixed,
but its outcome will hardly prove hostile.
***
The committee of the French Cham
Der of Deputies to whom the subject of
the relations of church and state was re-
ferred have reported in favor of the
abrogation of the concordat or agree
ment with the Church of Rome. They
propose a scheme, the main articles of
which are as follows: The republic will
respect all religions, but will grant SUBJ
sides or special privileges to none.
Various regulations and laws will be re-
pealed The departments and communes
will retake possession of various re-
ligious edifices and real and personal
properties; ministers now in receipt of
a government stipend, if over fifty years
of age, will receive a life pension of |
1000 francs yearly; if under fifty they
will be entitled to lump sum, the |
maximum amount to be 800 francs.
Citizens may form religious societies or
syndicates without government antago-
nization under the laws relating to pro-
fessional syndicates, and municipal coun-
ellis will be empowered to let edifces to
such syndicates.